Regresar

Clinical remission of severe asthma treated with biological agents in a public hospital in Buenos Aires

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Severe asthma affects approximately 5-10% of the asthmatic population and represents a significant burden on healthcare systems. The advent of biological therapies has prompted a redefinition of therapeutic goals, including clinical remission. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of clinical remission in patients with severe asthma treated with biologic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Hospital Francisco Santojanni. Adult patients with type 2 (T2) severe asthma, according to GINA 2023, who had received biologic treatment for at least 12 months were included. Clinical remission was defined according to GEMA 5.4 and REMAS 2024 criteria: absence of exacerbations, no need for maintenance systemic corticosteroids, Asthma Control Test (ACT) = 20, and FEV 1 = 80% of predicted. Clinical, functional, and demographic variables were analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Among 44 patients evaluated, 11 achieved clinical remission. The highest remission rates were observed with anti-IL-5 (7/12) and IL-5R (3/7). In contrast, remission was achieved in only 1 out of 12 patients treated with anti-IgE and in 1 out of 6 treated with antiIL-4Ra. No significant clinical differences were found between patients who achieved remission and those who did not. DISCUSSION: One in four patients with severe asthma achieved clinical remission with biologic therapy. Agents targeting the IL-5/IL-5R pathway showed greater efficacy. However, the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Prospective studies are needed to identify predictors of remission and guide personalized treatment strategies.